Li Ang was angry and resentful.
Old Arango's cold attitude and words angered him.
He felt that he had not done anything wrong to Sporting de Gijón. Even if he had conflicts and quarrels with the chairman, he had built Sporting de Gijón single-handedly and set off a youth storm in the Spanish football world. They had won the Copa del Rey in the previous season and were promoted. Now, they were in the European finals, the league title was in sight, and the Copa del Rey was in the finals again. They were very likely to defend their title.
To put it bluntly, even if Sporting de Gijón lost the UEFA Europa League final to Sporting de Gijón, even if they lost the league title, and even if they could not defend their Copa del Rey title and become a three-time champion, Li Ang's achievements could definitely be regarded as the best coach in Sporting de Gijón's recent history.
Manuel Arango's words implied that Li Ang wanted to climb up the social ladder. He even doubted Li Ang's professional ethics as a leader. This made Li Ang angry and disappointed.
*****
"Mr. President, please don't insult my professionalism." Li Ang said coldly, "Not only in this final, but until the end of the season, I will be conscientious and lead this team to the final success!"
Looking at Li Ang's angry face, old Arango sighed in his heart. He was not without a trace of regret, but he still gritted his teeth and sneered. "Of course, I believe in your professionalism."
Obviously, he was going against his conscience!
Li Ang stood up proudly and turned to leave. His mind was inexplicably reminded of his close acquaintance and friendship with the chairman. The past could not be traced back. However, this was the starting point of his coaching career after all. This team had his blood, sweat, and tears.
Old Arango could be heartless, but he could not be unrighteous. Even if it was for his own dreams and ambitions, for the support of the fans, and for the youth team he had built, he had to finish what he started.
"As you wish." Li Ang did not look back. "I will leave after the end of the season. We have reached the end of this season, and I will put a perfect end to it. "
After that, Li Ang walked away without looking back. The treble was his last gift.
Seeing Li Ang leave without looking back, old Arango shook his spoon. The coffee was not cold, but the conversation was over.
*****
Old Arango looked down at the coffee in his cup. The bitterness in his heart was like the coffee in the cup.
After a while, Benita appeared.
Old Arango looked at his daughter with love and complicated emotions.
"Benita, I still don't understand …" Old Arango sighed. He had a strong personality and had conflicts with Li Ang. He also guessed that with Li Ang's current fame, there was a high chance that a big club would invite him. However, Arango did not plan to let him go so easily. Li Ang had a contract with Sporting de Gijón, and there were still two years left. Old Arango was determined to keep Li Ang by force. Even if his relationship with Li Ang was strained, he knew Li Ang's ability. If he could keep Li Ang by force for a year, old Arango believed in his professionalism. Even if Li Ang was angry and the rift between them continued to widen, Li Ang would not slack off in his work. This year, Sporting de Gijón would consolidate their achievements and establish a firm foothold in La Liga.
Of course, this was extremely unfair to Li Ang. It could be said that Li Ang had contributed a lot to Sporting de Gijón, and this would be considered ungrateful.
However, Benita found her father at this time.
"Sporting de Gijón can keep him for a year or two, but he can't stop him from moving forward." Benita's eyes were bleak. "He has done enough for Sporting de Gijón. His stage is not here."
"But there's no need to show his cards so early." Old Arango snorted.
"Li Ang is a sentimental person." Benita squeezed out a smile.
Old Arango glared at his daughter and understood. Benita meant that only by being so heartless would Li Ang leave without hesitation. Otherwise, according to old Arango's intentions, Li Ang would hesitate and not leave.
"Humph, that bastard. Does he know what you've done for him?" Old Arango was furious. That bastard had stolen his precious daughter's heart.
Benita smiled and did not say anything.
*****
"Forget it, forget it. The penalty is only one million. The prize money for winning the championship can make up for it." Old Arango sighed. If Sporting de Gijón could win the UEFA Europa League, it would mean a generous prize money. For Sporting de Gijón, whose economic strength could not be compared to the La Liga giants, winning the championship was very important. The runner-up of the UEFA Europa League would receive a prize of 2.268 million euros, while the champion's prize would be 3.24 million euros. In addition to the broadcasting of the UEFA Europa League, Sporting de Gijón could earn close to 8 million euros from the European competition.
Benita pursed her lips in disgust. Old Arango's business was in a financial crisis, which made him attach great importance to finances and money. This was the biggest conflict between Li Ang and old Arango. Because of this irreconcilable conflict, Li Ang could not make a big impact even if he stayed at Sporting de Gijón.
In that case, it was better to let go early.
"He has his own ambitions. Sporting de Gijón's stage is too small," Benita said softly.
Old Arango snorted and wanted to get angry, but when he thought of his guilt towards his daughter, he sighed and did not say anything.
Then, when he thought of the squad Li Ang had built for Sporting de Gijón, old Arango's mood finally improved. Li Ang would leave at the end of the season, and no one would stop him in the transfer of players. Some of the players were now in high demand in the transfer market and could be exchanged for large sums of money.
Of course, old Arango did not lose his mind and would not sell the whole team. However, if he sold a few players such as Ribéry and Mata, the team's financial situation would be greatly improved.
This was the biggest conflict between Li Ang and old Arango. Although old Arango was ambitious, Sporting de Gijón had become a strong team in La Liga, and he was satisfied to be in the upper middle of the league. Therefore, he allowed the team to sell players for cash. However, Li Ang's goal was to lead the team to dominate the league, and he would not allow the sale of important players. Instead, he would further ask the club to invest in players.
To some extent, Li Ang's departure was a relief for Sporting de Gijón and himself.
Of course, without Benita, it would not be so easy for Li Ang to leave. With old Arango's character, he would never let Li Ang leave freely.
"You really don't regret it?" Old Arango asked his daughter. Benita was willing to sell a part of the club's shares to him. Only then did he agree.
With Sporting de Gijón's outstanding performance, Sporting de Gijón's shares had skyrocketed. Old Arango was naturally very happy for Benita to sell a part of her shares at this time.
Benita shook her head and did not say anything.
*****
Li Ang did not know what Benita was doing behind the scenes. He now felt a sense of relief. Before, he had been hesitant about whether to leave Sporting de Gijón. Now, old Arango's attitude made him give up completely and he was determined to leave.
However, as he had just said to old Arango, he wanted to use the championship trophy and the Treble to put a perfect end to his time in Sporting de Gijón.
This was not for old Arango, but for his own dream, for his players, and for the fans.
At some point, he thought of a certain girl's figure in his mind. This could be considered as not letting her down.
Li Ang would never forget Benita's help when he was at his lowest. It was impossible for him not to be moved by Benita's feelings. However, with Alice, he did not dare to touch her. It was better to leave like this. Often together, it was inevitable that something would happen.
It was time to say goodbye.
The Treble!
Let's start with the UEFA Europa League!
18 May 2005, Lisbon, Estadio Alvalade, full house.
Sporting de Lisbon VS Sporting de Gijón!
The 20042005 UEFA Europa League final was about to start.
Li Ang shook hands with Sporting de Lisbon's manager, Peseiro, and walked to the technical area.
On the field, the players from both sides were already in formation. The German referee, Merkel, was looking at his watch. He was about to blow the whistle to start the game.
The huge Estadio Alvalade was silent.
Finally, with a crisp whistle, the whole stadium erupted in loud cheers. The game had begun.
PS: First update.
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